Project Manager - Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
University of Illinois

Job Info

Project Manager
Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. ISTC integrates applied research, technical assistance, and information services to advance efforts in the areas of pollution prevention; water and energy conservation; and materials recycling and beneficial reuse. ISTC is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Learn more at https://prairie.illinois.edu/about/jobs/

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.

ISTC is seeking to hire a Project Manager (up to three, depending on applicant pool and programmatic need). The Project Manager will perform functions during post award for a portfolio of projects. Examples of post award activities include, but are not limited to, (1) managing the collection of and updating information for Foreign Nationals (FN) or UIUC and subawardees; (2) managing and updating project budgets; (3) managing conflict of interest filings for UIUC and subawardees; (4) assist project engineers to develop and monitor various schedules, performance metrics, and reporting functions for projects; (5) maintaining project related Staff Plan updates and HR Transactions in PRI's internal PRIDE system; (6) scheduling on-going project meetings; (7) coordinating with PRI Sponsored Research Coordinator/Fund Manager on project budget; (8) subaward coordination/monitoring, including subawardee invoice review (for PI final approval). This is a hybrid position based in Champaign, Illinois.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Overall Project Management
Track personnel resources and allocate appropriately as required. This includes updating the PRIDE Staff Plan and HR Transactions as required.
Develop tools and methods to estimate availability of personnel for projects based on the existing project portfolio.
Review Risks and Mitigation strategy for project with team.
Update as appropriate and communicate with funding agency.
Working with Principal Investigator (PI), develop first draft of communication tools (e.g., quarterly reports, presentations, etc.) for target audiences.
Schedule team meetings and develop appropriate agendas for meetings.
Assist project engineers to develop and monitor various schedules, performance metrics, and reporting functions for projects (e.g., deliverables, milestones, etc.).
Work with team to identify and overcome potential barriers to completing project within budget and on time.
Independently develop best practices and establish procedures related to effective project management.
Using independent judgment, assess ongoing and completed work to improve future efficiencies, formulating and recommending changes to project.
Work with team members to implement tools to track project progress (e.g., Earned Value Analysis).

Review of Project Expenditures
After the subawardee invoices have been submitted to SPA and reviewed by the PRI Sponsored Research Coordinator/Fund Manager for allowable costs, review project
hours and task completion for correctness prior to sharing with appropriate Principal Investigator (PI) for final approval.
Work with the PRI Sponsored Project Coordinator/Fund Manager and PI to respond to Department of Energy (DOE) requests for budget related information (especially for Quarterly Reports and Continuation Applications).
Interact with appropriate groups within UIUC to provide projections on project budgets as required for funding agency reporting requirements and inquiries.
Work with researchers on placing orders for supplies and equipment required to execute work plan.

Management of Project Compliance
Serve as main point of contact for DOE on Foreign National filings.
Coordinate and update foreign national filings for UIUC and subawardees.
Serve as main point of contact for DOE on Conflict of Interest (COI) filings.
Coordinate and update COI filings for UIUC and subawardees.
Function as the main point of contact for any additional compliance requirements established by the DOE.

Support Subawardee Contracting
Provide appropriate information to PRI Sponsored Project Coordinator/Fund Manager and/or University Contracts Office (i.e., SPA) for the generation of subawardee contracts. This includes the development of Statement of Work (SOWs), final negotiated budget and budget justification, and letter of commitment.
Work with PRI Sponsored Research Coordinator/Fund Manager and SPA to update subawards as required.
Provide required information to SPA to establish appropriate Nondisclosure Agreements (NDAs) for projects.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Specialty Factors: Bachelor's degree in business administration, management, or a field related to the position. Two years of professional business, financial and/or managerial experience in project/program management.

Preferred Qualifications: Advanced degree in business administration, management, or a field related to the
position such as science, engineering, or other related field (depending on nature and depth of experience as it relates to current ISTC projects). Five or more years of experience in project management/program management in a complex work environment. Prior experience coordinating/managing Department of Energy projects.
Valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Strong team-building skills. Ability to effectively communicate at all levels of management and technical expertise. Ability to identify, analyze and solve problems regarding recurring tasks and processes of the Project. Ability to build and maintain general understanding of stakeholders and partners. Ability to build and maintain general understanding of other projects and possible collaborative opportunities. Ability to identify and resolve personnel problems within and between workgroups. Strong project and personnel management techniques. Strong personnel development skills. Strong presentation, interpersonal, communication and documentation skills. Willingness to learn and implement DOE guidelines and policies for project execution.
This is a full-time Civil Service appointment. The starting date is negotiable and the salary is commensurate with experience.

Applications must be received by September 30, 2022. To apply, please use the Apply Now button. Applications not submitted through this website will not be considered. Application materials must include a 1) a cover letter that clearly articulates how your qualifications and experience make you a viable candidate for this position and should address the qualifications listed above, 2) a CV or resume, and 3) the names and contact information including e-mail addresses of three professional (not personal) references. All requested information and documentation must be submitted for applications to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

For further information please contact Lori Walston-Vonderharr, Human Resources, Prairie Research Institute, at lwalston@illinois.edu or 217-244-2401.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu .

Requisition ID: 1011552
Job Category: Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu